Construction machine, in particular a crane, and method for the control thereof

ABSTRACT

A construction machine, in particular in the form of a crane such as a revolving tower crane, having a control apparatus for controlling at least one piece of work equipment of the construction machine using a structure data model that includes digital information on a structure to be erected and/or to be worked. A method of controlling such a construction machine with the aid of digital data from such a structure data model. The construction machine has a data exchange module connectable to the master construction site computer for the exchange of digital data with a master construction site computer, with the data exchange module having reading and/or writing means for reading and/or writing access to the master construction site computer. The construction machine carries out at least individual work steps such as the traveling of a construction element in automated manner using digital data from the master construction site computer. A control module that can be positioned at the load suspension means and/or at the construction element to be traveled and that can be configured as a wearable, in particular in the form of gloves having integrated movement control sensors is provided for the fine positioning.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a § 371 national stage of International Application PCT/EP2017/000449, with an international filing date of 7 Apr. 2017, which International Application claims the benefit of DE Patent Application Serial No. 10 2016 004 266.4, filed on 8 Apr. 2016, the benefit of the earlier filing date of which is hereby claimed under 35 USC § 119(a)-(d) and (f). The entire contents and substance of all applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a construction machine, in particular in the form of a crane such as a revolving tower crane, having a control apparatus for controlling at least one piece of work equipment of the construction machine using a structure data model that includes digital information on a structure to be erected and/or to be worked. The invention further relates to a method of controlling such a construction machine with the aid of digital data from such a structure data model.

2. Description of Related Art

The planning of the crane deployment on construction sites typically takes place by the work preparation of the participating construction company or in detail by the foremen on site. The bases for the planning are here the work plans that are typically still two-dimensional, occasionally also already three-dimensional; furthermore the timetables; and in part the cost plan of the construction project. Since the work plans are usually specific to the trade, the final monitoring of the freedom from collision of the crane is only possible on the execution. Time displacements of individual work and plan changes are often not subsequently entered into the documents in time.

More recently, digital structure data models have also been used for the planning, erecting, working, and checking of structures that are occasionally called BIMs (building information models) and that include digital information on the structure to be erected or worked, with it in particular being a total model here that as a rule includes the three-dimensional plans of all trades, the timetable, and also the cost plan. Such structure data models or BIMs are as rule computer readable files or file conglomerates and occasionally processing computer program modules for processing such files in which information and characteristics describe the structure to be erected or to be worked and its relevant properties in the form of digital data.

In general, such structure data models can include two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or multi-dimensional CAD data for the visualization of the structure and/or its structure parts, but also other relevant information on the structure, for example its timetable for its erection, the cost plant, information on the surrounding infrastructure such as access roads, energy and water utilities, or logistical information on required auxiliary material for the erection or working of the structure. Structure parameters such as construction volume, structure height, dimensions of extent in elevation and on the ground plan, material volumes such as the required volume of concrete, volume of bricks, et cetera. or construction element weights of individual structure components such as steel beams, fabricated construction elements, or similar are often included as characteristic structure data. The structure data model and its files or the file conglomerate is here frequently sendable and/or has network capability to be provided to different construction participants.

A number of processes in the erection of a structure are processed with the aid of a computer with the aid of such structure data models, with an architect preparing a draft in classical construction planning, for example, and drawing it with the aid of CAD systems, whereupon a quantity determination can be prepared for the cost calculation on the basis of the CAD drawings or the plans can be submitted to other professional engineers, fire safety inspectors, or authorities. If plan changes occur, the drawings are changed and coordinated with the participants, with the quantity determination being adapted and the cost calculation being revised, which makes everything a lot simpler when using the integrated BIM, and being at least partly automatically completed by software modules that can access the data of the structure data model.

It has already been proposed in this context to include data relating to the operation of a crane in a BIM or in a structure data model. Document WO 2016/019158 A1, for example, describes a method by means of which a BIM is updated by crane operating data, a timeline or a timetable being generated using the construction elements to be moved by the crane that includes the required crane deployments and is integrated in the data model of the BIM. The BIM model can then update further BIM functions with reference to the generated timeline.

Document WO 2013/006625 A1 further describes a method of maneuvering a crane within a construction site while making use of data from a BIM model, with, on the one hand, global 3D coordinates of the crane hook that are determined with the aid of absolute position sensors and, on the other hand, global 3D coordinates that characterize the structure to be erected and the position of the structure parts and are stored in the BIM being compared with one another.

As a result, the functional gain of the previously provided linking of a crane to the BIM is, however, limited. To date, it has in particular not been possible to achieve any great advantages in the control of construction machinery such as cranes or excavators and their handling by BIM models. In addition, real time problems that may arise on the use of BIM data for the crane control due to limited data transmission speeds and data transmission bandwidths, in particular in time-sensitive control work such as oscillation damping, have been unsatisfactorily solved.

It is therefore the underlying object of the present invention to provide an improved integration of construction machinery and their operation in structure data models and/or an improved link of construction machinery to such structure data models that avoid disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously further develop the latter. A more efficient and more secure control of construction machinery should in particular be achieved by an improved link to BIM models.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, said object is achieved by a construction machine, in particular a crane or an excavator, having a construction machine control apparatus for controlling pieces of working equipment of the construction machine, characterized by a data communication device connected to a master construction site computer for receiving and processing digital information from a structure data model to which the master construction site computer has access, and by a control configuration module for influencing at least one control function of the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on the received digital information from the structure data model.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, it is therefore proposed to link the control of a construction machine used on the construction site to a master construction site computer that has access to the structure data model or BIM so that the construction machine control apparatus, for example the crane control, can exchange data with the structure data model. In accordance with the invention, the construction machine has a data exchange module connectable to the master construction site computer for the exchange of data with the master construction site computer, with the data exchange module having reading and/or writing means for reading and/or writing access to the master construction site computer. It is in particular possible to intervene in the control of the construction machine with reference to digital information from the structure data model and/or to parameterize and/or modify the control of the construction machine. Alternatively or additionally, the construction machine control apparatus can transmit data to the master construction site computer to update and/or supplement the structure data model and/or generally to transmit digital data of the structure data model and to save them there.

The linking of the control apparatus of the construction machine to the master construction site computer and the structure data model provided by it can generally be utilized for different functions of construction machine operation and of construction site management. The provision of digital data from the structure data model to the control apparatus of the construction machine can in particular be used to carry out different work processes of the construction machine semi-automatically or fully automatically, in particular specific travel processes of the construction machine and/or the movement of construction elements by the construction machine.

The master construction site computer that has access to the structure data model can in particular provide digital location information on a construction element to be installed, in particular where and when a certain component is delivered, where a certain component is located and/or at which position of the structure a respective component is to be installed. If, for example, the control apparatus of a crane accesses such digital information relating the construction element to be installed, certain crane movements and/or lifting movements of the construction element can be carried out in an least partially automated manner.

In a further development of the invention, the control apparatus of the construction machine and/or the master construction site computer can comprise a construction element localization module, for example in the form of a software module, by means of which a construction element to be taken up by the construction machine on the construction site can be localized with reference to digital information from the structure data model. Storage locations or the delivery station and the delivery time can be stored in the BIM or in the structure data model, for example, with the construction machine or the crane together with its load suspension means being able to be traveled at least in a partially automated manner to the storage position or delivery position if the construction element is to be installed in accordance with the timetable that is stored in the BIM. This can, for example, take place such that it is displayed on a display of the construction machine that the next construction element to be worked is located at a certain position and the machine operator is asked in a dialog box whether the position should be traveled to automatically, which can then be carried out if the machine operator confirms it. The performance can optionally also take place fully automatically.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, the taking up of a construction element can also take place in an automated manner or can be supported by the construction site computer. A detection apparatus can in particular be provided for detecting a construction element located in the taking up and/or working region of the construction machine, with said detection apparatus, for example, being able to have a camera and/or an imaging sensor and/or a barcode scanner and/or an RFID reader to be able to identify the construction element located in the proximity of the lifting hook of a crane, for example. If the detection apparatus recognizes a certain construction element, for example with reference to a barcode applied thereto or with reference to an RFID signal emitted thereby, the construction machine control apparatus can determine with reference to digital data from the structure data model that are provided by the construction site computer whether it is the “correct” construction element for the next work step and/or the section or point of the structure to be erected at which the construction element is to be positioned or placed down.

Alternatively or additionally to said RFID recognition, work can also be carried out with an LWID, i.e. in the identification system working in the low frequency or low wave range. Work can in particular also be carried out with a so-called RuBee recognition system, with such a RuBee system communicating bidirectionally on demand, with work being able to be carried out, for example, in a frequency range of an order of magnitude of 100-150 kHz, but optionally also higher or up to 450 kHz. Such RuBee tags can comprise a microprocessor having a memory module and can use an IP address. The RuBee recognition can in particular also use magnetic waves and/or can communicate inductively, with the RuBee recognition in particular being characterized by its robustness with respect to interference due to metal parts and moisture and thus being particularly suitable for construction machine deployment or crane deployment.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, the control of the construction machine can also have a hoist control module for the automated hoist control with reference to relevant information from the structure data model. Said hoist control module can here work semi-automatically or fully automatically to carry out a lift in an automated manner in interaction with an input or release or with confirmation commands of the machine operator or optionally also without such complementary control commands. The machine operator can identify the construction element to be moved by the construction machine in a semi-automatic manner for this purpose. Alternatively, an automated construction element recognition can also take place as previously explained in order, for example, to identify a load to be suspended at the lifting hook of a crane.

It is then possible to determine for a detected and/or identified construction element via the link of the construction machine control apparatus to the master construction site computer with reference to the structure data model and to relevant digital information the location of the structure to which the construction element is to be moved, with in particular position data for the respective construction element from the structure data model being able to be used for this purpose.

The hoist control module can calculate the travel path for the automated hoist, optionally while taking account of further topographical data of the construction site such as access roads et cetera, from the data of the BIM provided by the master construction site computer and relating to the identified construction element and optionally further structure characteristics such as structure contours.

Alternatively or additionally to such an automated traveling of the construction machine by said hoist control module, a blocking module can also be provided that can block a corresponding hoist or a corresponding work step of the construction machine in interaction with the structure data model, in particular, for example, when a corresponding construction element has been installed or when a connecting module required for the installation of the construction element has not yet been installed.

Said blocking module can in particular work in interaction with the aforesaid construction progress monitoring, in particular such that a determination is made with reference to the previously explained desired/actual comparison of the construction progress whether the structure is ready to move the respective construction element accordingly. Unnecessary lifts with construction elements can hereby be avoided that cannot yet be installed or whose installed position is not yet ready.

The blocking module and/or the aforesaid hoist control module can be integrated in the machine control apparatus and/or can be downloadable and/or importable as a software tool, for example from the master construction site computer, or can also be linked to the machine control apparatus in the form of a stored, separate module. The blocking module and/or the hoist control module can advantageously be parameterized and/or modified by means of digital information from the structure data model.

To travel a construction element at least partially in an automated manner, i.e. to be able to pick it up at a specific point and to place it down at a specific point, the construction machine control apparatus or the aforesaid hoist control module can advantageously process at least three-dimensional coordinates and can obtain them from the construction site computer, with the position coordinates of the load pick-up location provided by the master construction site computer being able to be X1, Y1, and Z1, for example, and with the position coordinates of the unloading point being able to be X2, Y2, and Z2, for example, that is, can advantageously comprise respective elevation coordinates X and Y and vertical coordinates Z. Said XYZ coordinate system can, for example, be a coordinate system that is fixed with respect to the construction site or the structure, i.e. with respect to the structure to be erected, and that always indicates the loading and unloading positions relative to the structure to be erected. Said XYZ coordinates can, for example, be accessed from or provided by the structure data model.

The loading and unloading positions of the respective construction element are advantageously still defined by at least one further coordinate, namely in particular an angle coordinate or an orientation coordinate φ, that can in particular indicate the angle of rotation or the angular orientation of the construction element with respect to an upright axis. If a crane is used as the construction machine to move the construction element from the delivery location to the installed location, the crane can advantageously have a rotary device for rotating the lifting hook about an upright axis. This can, for example, take place by a rotary drive that is directly associated with the lifting hook itself, for example to rotate the lifting hook with respect to the block tackle. Alternatively or additionally, the trolley travelable at a crane boom can also be correspondingly rotated by a rotary trolley drive to be able to pick up and put down the construction element in different angular orientations.

Depending on the delivery station or on the goods buffer store, the angular orientation on the picking up of the load can be predefined and known, for example read from the structure data model, when the orientation is stored there. Alternatively or additionally, the crane or the construction machine can also be provided with a detection device for detecting the angular orientation, for example with a camera by means of which, for example, the orientation of a fabricated wall or of a steel beam can be determined. The angular orientation φ1 determined on the picking up of the construction element can then be converted by rotating the lifting hook or the trolley into the desired angular orientation φ2 at the installed location, with the required construction element orientation at the installation location being able to be read from the structure data model and/or being able to be determined, for example again by means of a camera, by detection of the orientation of the already installed connection construction elements.

In addition to the one angle coordinate φ that determines the angular orientation with respect to a vertical axis of rotation, further angular orientation coordinates can optionally be used, for example when a construction element such as a long beam is to be lifted together by means of two cranes and is, for example, to be placed down in an orientation that is not exactly horizontal.

To enable a fine adjustment of the position of the construction machine or of its load suspension means and/or of the construction element suspended thereon in a simple and favorable manner, the construction machine control apparatus can have a travel control module that has at least one operating element that has actuating axes whose orientation corresponds to the desired travel axes such that a movement of the operating element in a specific direction effects a travel of the construction machine or of the load suspension means in the corresponding direction and/or effects a rotation of the operating element about an axis of rotation of the load suspension means about an axis of rotation in parallel therewith in a corresponding direction. The operating element can be a joystick, for example, that is tiltable in different axes to generate travel movements in the corresponding directions and/or is rotatable to enable a rotation of the construction element such as has previously been described. Alternatively or additionally, slide buttons and/or push buttons and/or a touchscreen on which finger movements in certain directions or rotations can be detected can be used as the operating element.

This travel control module or its at least one operating element is advantageously not provided in the machine operator's cab—where corresponding travel control means can naturally also be provided—but rather in direct proximity to the load suspension means of the construction machine, for example directly at the lifting hook or at the deflection pulley of a crane supporting the lifting hook. For example, respective push buttons can be provided at its four sides at the lifting hook or at a structural part connected thereto that trigger a travel movement in the direction of the push movement on their pushing, whereby an intuitive fine adjustment of the alignment or position of the lifting hook is made possible. Alternatively or additionally, a rotational control button can be provided which is rotatable about an upright axis and by means of which the lifting hook or the trolley can be rotated about the upright axis to be able to set the aforesaid direction angle φ.

Alternatively or additionally to such a fine adjustment position control module directly at the load suspension means, said travel control module can also be implemented in the form of a mobile control unit, for example in the form of a tablet, that a machine operator present at the load suspension means can take along with him. The orientation of the control axes defined at the tablet can be very simply brought into agreement with the movement axes of the construction machine, for example, in that the machine operator himself or the tablet moves into a predefined orientation with the construction machine, for example moves with his back to the crane tower beneath its boom and/or the tablet moves in a specific orientation to the boom of the crane and/or he or the table moves in a specific orientation with the structure that is to be erected and whose orientation is naturally known to the structure data model.

Alternatively or additionally, a corresponding travel control apparatus and/or orientation control apparatus can also be attached to the construction element to be traveled whose position and orientation should ultimately be controlled. For example, a corresponding control tablet can be positioned for fine adjustment at a marked installation point at the construction element to be able to carry out the fine adjustment or fine positioning in the named manner.

By an attachment that is, for example, temporary of the travel control module to the construction element to be adjusted and/or to the load receiving means receiving the construction element in a predefined orientation thereto, which can take place, for example, by a holder at the construction element and/or load receiving means and/or a mark attached thereto, it is simultaneously possible to link the orientation axes of the operating element of the travel control module in a suitable manner with the movement axes of the construction machine since the temporary attachment in a predefined orientation defines the movement axes of the operating element and enables an intuitive operation. If, for example, a tablet is positioned in a predefined orientation at a main surface of a fabricated wall, the crane control recognizes the alignment of the wall from the structure data model and/or by means of a suitable sensor system so that the pressing of right/left/up/down arrows or a corresponding swiping movement on the tablet can be converted into an adjustment movement of the crane in the desired direction.

Alternatively or additionally, said travel control module or its at least one operating element can be a part of the equipment, in particular a part of a piece of clothing or of an article of the machine operator fastenable to the body in a self-supporting manner, in particular in the form of a so-called wearable electronic module. A glove that is equipped with a corresponding sensor system can in particular be used for the fine adjustment of the position of the load suspension means of the construction machine. Such a glove can, for example, be provided with at least one acceleration sensor and/or direction sensor that can, for example, detect hand movements waving up or down to direct the lifting hook of a crane up or down in the sense of a gesture control. Alternatively or additionally, such a glove can also comprise a piezo sensor that reacts to pressure, for example such that the lifting hook is pressed away on a pressing with an outer surface of the glove and the lifting hook is pulled in the opposite direction by pressing on an inner hand surface of the glove.

As previously explained with respect to the variant of the tablet, the direction of a pushing command or movement command of the glove can here be detected or determined, for example, in that the glove is placed at a predefined point of the construction element, for example at a front side of the fabricated wall to be moved whose orientation the construction machinery control apparatus is aware of from the BIM or detects by means of a suitable sensor system, for example by means of a camera looking downward from the crane boom. If the control apparatus is aware of the orientation of the construction element or of the load suspension means at which the glove is placed, the control apparatus is also aware of the alignment of the glove.

Alternatively or additionally, it would, however, also be possible to detect the orientation of the glove by means of a suitable sensor system, for example by means of gyroscope sensors and/or compass elements and/or inclinometers and/or GPS modules, etc. to associate specific pressing signals of the sensors integrated in the glove in specific movement directions with the adjustment movement to be produced.

Such a glove can also comprise a plurality of sensors, for example pressure sensors, with which different movement directions and/or control functions are associated with so that, for example, a different travel movement can be initiated by pressing the sensor attached to an index finger than by the pressing of a palm sensor.

In an advantageous further development of the invention, said travel control module can wirelessly communicate with the control apparatus of the construction machine for the fine positioning of the respective received load, with a radio transmission of the control signals being able to be provided, for example. Alternatively, however, a signal cable transmission of the control signals can also take place, for example via the hoist rope to which the lifting hook of a crane is fastened.

To be able to travel the construction element taken up at the load suspension means of the construction machine gently and free of disturbance to the desired installation position in a semi-automatic or fully automatic manner, an oscillation damping and/or vibration damping can be provided in an advantageous further development of the invention to damp and in the best scenario to fully eliminate unwanted oscillation or vibration movements of the construction element taken up. If the construction machine is a crane, for example, the oscillation damping can prevent an unwanted oscillation of the load suspension means and of the construction element fastened thereto relative to the crane boom. Such oscillation damping apparatus are known in various embodiments for cranes, for example by controlling the slewing gear drive, the luffing drive, and the trolley drive in dependence on specific sensor signals, for example inclination signals and/or gyroscope signals. Documents DE 20 2008 018 260 U1 or DE 10 2009 032 270 A1, for example, show known load oscillation damping devices at cranes and their subject matters are expressly referenced to this extent, that is, with respect to the principles of the oscillation damping device.

To enable an automated picking up of a load at the load suspension means of the construction machine, in particular at the lifting hook of a crane, the load suspension means can be configured in a special manner, and can in particular have a coupling device and/or a locking device that is automated or actuable by outside energy. Alternatively or additionally to such a coupling device, the load suspension means and/or a mounting piece attached to the construction element to be picked up can have centering means for centering the load suspension means relative to the counter-piece attached to the construction element, for example in the form of a conical mount recess and a cone-shaped counter-piece cooperating therewith.

Alternatively or additionally, the automatic picking up of the load can also be assisted or implemented by an abutment that can be traveled to and that facilitates the traveling to and location of the coupling position or mounting position.

The load suspension means can in particular comprise at least one lashing element that enables the lashing and releasing of different loads with an associated coupling element fastened to the load or integrated in the load. Said lashing element can advantageously be automatically fastened and/or released by the construction machine control apparatus or crane control apparatus. A manual fastening and release of the lashing element can advantageously also take place.

An intervention in the construction machine control via its link to the master construction site computer can furthermore comprise the adaptation of a working region boundary implemented there to structure data from the structure data model, with a temporally dynamic adaptation advantageously being able to take place such that the working region boundary can be adapted to resulting construction progresses or can be gradually changed.

Alternatively or additionally to such an automatic adaptation of the working region boundary, a construction progress monitoring can also be provided in which the actual state of the structure and/or its surroundings are detected by means of a suitable detection device such as a camera and/or a scanner and is/are compared with digital information from the structure data model. For the detection of the actual state, structure contours can be detected and/or measured by a camera and/or existing construction elements can be read by means of a barcode scanner and/or can be detected by means of an RFID reader and/or position data of construction elements can be determined by means of a localizer, for example in the form of a GPS module or of a radar measurement module.

A determination as to the construction phase the structure is currently in can take place using the comparison of the detected actual data with the associated relevant BIM data. Different assisting and/or automated measures can then be initiated with reference to this determination of the current construction phase by a corresponding construction phase determination module. For example, which work steps are to be carried out next and/or where a construction element delivered to the delivery station is to be moved in accordance with its intended purpose can be displayed at a display apparatus of the construction machine. For example, a virtual representation of the structure in its respective state can be generated on a display unit in the operator's cab with reference to imported information from the structure data model, in which virtual representation the construction element currently to be traveled or moved and its position is displayed so that, for example, a crane operator can see what lift is to be made and where a construction element to be suspended at the hook is to be moved.

Characteristics of the available construction machinery can already be taken into account in the planning and in the selection of a suitable construction machine, for example a crane of the matching payload category, by linking the construction machine or a machine data model which relates to the construction machine and in which digital information on different construction machine models is included to the structure data model or to the BIM. Said machine data model can here be provided in the form of a software module or an app that has an interface for communication with the structure data model and that can, for example, be downloaded from a server or from a software store or that can also be stored on a data carrier.

An automatic selection of a construction machine suitable for the erection and/or working of the respective structure can advantageously take place by means of the machine data model with reference to digital information from the structure data model and from the machine data model, with an automatic identification and reading of relevant information from the structure data model being able to take place for this purpose with reference to criteria that are predefined by the machine data model and that relate to machine data in which the different construction machine models differ from one another. The automatic selection of the suitable construction machine then takes place with reference to an automatic comparison of the read information from the structure data model with the machine data of different construction machinery from the machine data model.

The modules implementing said functions can in particular be integrated in the form of software tools in the machine data model, but optionally also in the structure data module. On an integration into the linkable machine data model, the total functionality for the automatic selection of the matching construction machine can be provided by the downloadable and/or importable software tool that implements the machine data model and it is possible to this extent to work with a BIM or with a structure data model that for this purpose only requires a corresponding interface via which the supplementary software tool can be linked.

The relevant information from the structure data model that is required for the selection of the construction machine and that is identified and read by an identification and/or reading module can comprise different structure characteristics such as the structure height, the weight of the heaviest construction element to be moved, the area and/or the cross-sectional extent of the structure in elevation and/or the maximum distance between a construction element delivery station stored in the BIM and a construction element destination at which the respective construction element is to be installed. These identified and read structure characteristics can then be compared by comparison module with relevant information from the machine data model, with the relevant machine information in particular being able to comprise the following information: machine lift height; maximum machine payload; and/or machine range. If, for example, a crane suitable for the structure is to be selected, a crane can be selected whose lift height is sufficient for the structure height whose payload is sufficient for the weight of the heaviest construction element to be moved and whose range is sufficient for the cross-sectional extent of the structure in elevation and/or the maximum distance between the construction element delivery station and the construction element destination. If a plurality of cranes are included in the machine data model that satisfy said criteria, the smallest crane can be selected that satisfies said demands and so-to-say has the smallest surplus with respect to the crane capacities.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the linking of the machine data model to the structure data model can also be utilized to determine and/or to automatically check the installation site of the construction machine, in particular the position of the crane relative to the structure to be erected or to be worked. If a construction machine is selected, which can take place in the aforesaid manner in an automated fashion by the described selection module or alternatively also manually by the planner himself, a position determination module can automatically determine a suitable installation location for the construction machine with reference to relevant machine data that are read from the construction machine model and that can, for example, comprise the range and/or the lift height and/or the collision range and/or working range of the construction machine and with reference to relevant structure data that are read from the structure data model and can, for example, comprise structure dimensions and/or structure contours and/or construction site topographical data and/or access paths and/or material delivery stations. Alternatively or additionally, said position or installation location determination module can check a position of the construction machinery possibly manually fixed by the planner with respect to said criteria, in particular as to whether the range or the working location of the construction machine at the determined installation location is sufficient for the work to be carried out by the construction machine and/or whether collisions of the working range of the construction machine with structure contours and/or other topographic circumstances of the construction site such as trees or adjacent buildings occur in order then optionally to release the installation location of the construction machine or to propose an alternative installation location.

After a successful determination and/or check of the machine installation location, the BIM or the structure data model can be correspondingly updated by said installation location determination module with respect to the installation location.

In a further development of the invention, the installation location determination module can also automatically bound the working range of the respective selected construction machine automatically with reference to aforesaid collision check and can update the structure data model by the determined working range restrictions. As will still be explained, the construction machine control apparatus can be adapted or parameterized accordingly with respect to a working range boundary function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with respect to a preferred embodiment and to associated drawings. There are shown in the drawings:

FIG. 1: a schematic representation of a construction machine in the form of a crane whose control is linked to a master construction site computer that has access to a structure data model and maneuvers a load in an automated manner from a delivering truck to an installation position at the building to be erected;

FIG. 2: a schematic structural representation of the link of the control of the crane of FIG. 1 to the structure data model via said master construction site computer and of the link of a machine data model that includes characteristics of the crane to the structure data model to assist the construction planning;

FIG. 3: a schematic perspective representation of a load suspension means of the crane of FIG. 1 for picking up a construction element by means of a coupling, with the coupling part at the lifting hook side and the coupling part at the construction element side being shown in a not yet coupled approach position; and

FIG. 4: a schematic representation of an electronic fine control module in the form of an electronic wearable module configured as a glove for the fine direction of lifting hook movements of the crane of FIG. 1 by manual pressing at the construction element to be traveled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As FIG. 1 shows, a crane 200 that is linked in a manner still to be explained to a structure data model 300 can be configured as a revolving tower crane whose tower 202 supports a boom 203 at which a trolley 204 is travelably supported. The boom 203 can be rotated about an upright axis together with the tower 202 or also without the tower 202—depending on the configuration of the crane as a top slewer or as a bottom slewer—for which purpose a slewing gear drive is provided in a manner known per se. The boom 203 could optionally also be configured as being able to be luffed up and down about a horizontal transverse axis, with a suitable luffing drive being able to be provided, for example, in interaction with the boom guying. Said trolley 204 can be traveled in a manner likewise known per se by means of a trolley traveling winch or of another trolley travel drive.

Instead of the crane 200 shown, however, a different crane could also be used, for example in the form of a telescopic boom crane or also a construction machine of a different type such as an excavator, and could be linked to the BIM or to the structure data model 300.

As FIG. 2 shows, the crane 200 can already be taken into account in the planning phase. For this purpose, a construction machine model 500 that can include in the said manner digital information on different construction machinery, in particular on different cranes, including the crane 200 of FIG. 1, can be linked to the structure data model 300. Said construction machine model 500 can be provided in the form of a downloadable software tool or software module that has an interface that permits the construction machine model 500 to be linked to the structure data model 300 so that the two can communicate and exchange data with one another.

The planning process can be simplified with the aid of the link of said machine data model 500. The selection of the crane, the positioning of the crane relative to the structure to be erected, and the working ranges of the crane 200 can in particular be carried out or determined in the manner initially explained in more detail. For this purpose, suitable software modules and/or hardware modules, in particular a machine selection module 520, an installation location determination module 530, a collision determination module 700, and a working range setting module 710, can be integrated into the construction machine model 500 and/or into the structure data model 300.

As FIG. 2 shows, the crane 200 is also itself linked to the structure data model 300, and indeed via a master construction site computer 901 that has access to said structure data mode. To provide the BIM or the structure data model 300 on the construction site, the master construction site computer 910 that can be positioned on the construction site or in the range of the structure to be erected can be linked to a server on which the BIM or the structure data model 300 is provided. A local copy of the BIM or of the structure data model 300 can advantageously be stored on the master construction site computer and can be cyclically or continuously synchronized with the original version of the structure data model 300. Long data paths and a time offset can hereby be reduced and an interaction free of time offset or with a low time offset can be implemented between the structure data model 300 and the crane 200 since the crane control apparatus 205 can directly access the master construction site computer 910 and the local copy of the structure data model 300 there without a remote data transmission to a remote, central BIM server with possible bandwidth restrictions being necessary. The latter would naturally nevertheless be possible.

If data from the crane 200 or from its control apparatus 205 are written into the structure data model 300, they can first be buffered in the master construction site computer 910, with then the versions of the structure data model 300 there being able to be correspondingly updated by synchronization of the master construction site computer 910 with a central server and/or computer units and server units of other participants such as a planning office or a machine lender.

Different crane functions or generally control functions of the corresponding construction machine can be adapted or parameterized in dependence on digital data from the structure data model 300 due to the link of the crane 200 to the master construction site computer 910 or to the structure data model 300 provided thereby. Corresponding digital information from the structure data model 300 can be sent to the crane 200 for this purpose by means of the data communication device 900 shown in FIG. 2. Said data communication device 900 in particular connects the construction site computer 910 to the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200.

A control configuration module 902 that can be implemented in the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200, but that can also be provided in the construction site computer 910, is provided to correspondingly adapt said control functions to the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200. This control configuration module 920 can in particular adapt the working range boundary function of the crane 200, that can be implemented in its control apparatus 205, to different construction phases, and accordingly to growing structure walls and obstacles by means of digital data from the structure data model 300.

Independently of such an adaptation of the working range boundary, the link of the crane to the master construction site computer 910 and to the structure data model 300 provided by it can implement an automated construction phase monitoring. For this purpose, on the one hand, the actual state of the structure can be determined by means of a suitable detection device 800, with said detection device 800 generally being able to be configured differently. For example, the detection device 800 can comprise at least one camera and/or a suitable imaging sensor, for example in the form of a camera 220 installed at the crane 200. An image processing device arranged downstream of the generated images can detect specific characteristics, for example structure height, developed ground plan surface, outline contours or similar, that characterize the construction progress. Alternatively or additionally to such cameras or imaging sensors, other detection means can also be provided such as a scanner or an RFID reader to detect whether certain construction elements are already installed at the structure or not. Such a scanner or RFID reader can, for example, be attached to the crane hook 208 or can also be used in the form of a mobile unit by means of which installed components can be manually scanned.

The actual state of the structure detected by the detection device 800 is then compared with digital information from the structure data model 300 by a construction phase determination module 801 that can, for example, be implemented in the construction site computer 910 to determine the respective construction phase from the comparison.

The crane 200 can carry out different functions on the basis of the determined construction phase. It is, for example, already helpful if the respective reached construction phase is displayed on a display apparatus at the crane 200, either in its crane operator's cab 206 or at the control station 2 of the remote control device.

However, further control functions can also be adapted at the crane 200 with the aid of a control configuration module 902 that can be implemented in the construction site computer 910, but in particular also in the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200. For example, a virtual representation of the respective work task to be carried out next by the construction machine can be displayed at said display unit at the crane or at its remote control apparatus, for example such that the respective next construction element to be installed and its installed position at the structure are superposed in the virtual representation of the structure in its respective construction phase. Alternatively or additionally, a travel path can also be superposed in the representation.

In an even more advantageous manner, automated lifts can also be carried out by the crane 200, in particular on the basis of the aforesaid construction phase monitoring and the accompanying determination of the next work step.

If, for example, a construction element is delivered to the construction site by means of a truck 1000, which can, for example, be seen from the structure data model 300 or its timetable by a corresponding input, the master construction site computer 910 can advise the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200, in particular also of the unloading position at which the truck 1000 stops in accordance with its intended purpose to unload the construction element. FIG. 1 in this respect shows the coordinates X1, Y1, and Z1 that indicate the position of the construction element at the unloading location of the truck 1000. The angle φ1 shown in FIG. 1 additionally determines the angular orientation of the construction element relative to the structure to be erected, which can, for example, be predefined in a simple manner in that the truck has to adopt a predetermined unloading position that the BIM 300 is aware of and the construction element is supported in a specific orientation on the truck 1000. Alternatively or additionally, a suitable detection device can be provided, for example in the form of a camera 220 that can, for example, be attached to the boom 203 of the crane 200 and that can look downwardly to thus be able to determine the orientation of the construction element by means of an image evaluation unit.

If the master construction site computer 910 advises the control apparatus 205 of the crane 200 of the delivery, the control apparatus 205 can travel the crane 200 so that its lifting hook is moved to the truck 1000 and to the construction element located thereon.

The lifting hook of the crane 200 can advantageously have independent coupling means, for example such that the lifting hook is traveled against an abutment at which a load pick-up at the construction element couples with the lifting hook, as will be explained in more detail later. Alternatively or additionally, the fine adjustment of the lifting hook relative to the construction element to be picked up can also take place in the manner initially already explained in more detail by a travel control module 990 that is located at the lifting hook and that can actuate a position at the truck 1000 or at its load surface that is responsible for the coupling procedure when the lifting hook 200 has traveled to the position X1, Y1, Z1, φ1 in an automated manner.

Detection means at the lifting hook can here also check whether the construction element located at the truck is actually the construction element to be installed, in which, for example, an RFID code, a barcode, or similar is read, as initially already explained in more detail.

For this purpose, a detection device 830 can be provided by means of which a construction element located in the pick-up region or working range of the crane 200 can be detected, in particular as to whether it is the construction element that should be installed in the next work step. Said detection apparatus 830 can, for example, comprise a barcode scanner or an RFID reader that can be attached to the crane hook. It is, however, understood that different detection means can also be used to identify the construction element to be picked up.

If it is found in this manner that the construction element to be installed in the next work step has been suspended at the crane hook 208, said control configuration module 920 can cause the crane control apparatus 205 to carry out an automated lift on the basis of the digital information from the structure data model 300 to move the component to the installed location in accordance with its intended purpose, in particular to the installed position X2, Y2, Z2, with the angular orientation of φ2 required there. The crane 200 can be rotated for this purpose and its trolley can be traveled and likewise rotated.

FIG. 3 shows by way of example a load suspension means 1100 of the crane 200 that enables an automatic coupling of the load. The load suspension means 1100 can, for example, be configured in the form of a shape-matched coupling that can engage in a shape-matched manner a matching gripping element 1101 at the construction element, for example a gripping head in the form of a mushroom head. As FIG. 3 shows, actuators for actuating, in particular opening and/or closing, can be associated with the coupling elements, for example in the form of slides 1104, with said actuators 1105 being able to be actuated by external energy actuation, for example from the crane control; on the other hand, they can, however, advantageously also be manually actuated.

Said load suspension means 1100 can have a sensor system 1119 for the fine positioning by means of which marking elements 1112 attached to the construction element can be detected. Said detection means 1119, together with the markings 1112 at the construction element, can achieve a fully automated fine traveling to the coupling position or to the load pick-up position.

Alternatively or additionally, however, work can also be carried out in the initially already explained manner by the travel control module 990 at the lifting hook or at the load suspension means 1100 to travel the load suspension means 1100 exactly into the desired position and orientation. FIG. 3 indicates some operating elements 1116, 1118, and 1121 by means of which movements of lifting hooks or load suspension means can be finely adjusted in the initially already explained manner. Said operating elements 1116, 1118, and 1121 can, for example, be push buttons, slides, or rotary knobs whose movement axes predefine corresponding crane hook adjustment movements and their directions. As FIG. 3 shows, the travel control module 990 can have a transmission and/or reception unit 991 to communicate with the control apparatus 205 of the crane.

As FIG. 4 shows, said travel control module 990 can also comprise operating elements that are integrated in gloves of a machine operator. Such gloves 992 can, for example, comprise pressure-sensitive and/or direction-sensitive sensors 993 and 994 that can be integrated in fingertips and in the palm of the respective glove 992.

If surfaces of the construction element to be traveled and/or surfaces of the load suspension means 1100 are touched by the gloves 992, the direction in which the gloves 992 push, pull or rotate at the construction element or load suspension means can be detected by means of said sensors 993 and 994 to then carry out corresponding travel movements via the control apparatus 205 of the crane. Surface parts that cooperate with the gloves 992 and that can better detect the direction of pressure and/or the direction of movement together with the sensors 992 and 993 and 994 can optionally be attached to the load suspension means 1100 and/or at the construction element to be traveled. Alternatively or additionally, a position marking can also be attached to the construction element to be traveled and predefines the contact position or gripping position of the gloves 992 so that the control apparatus knows—from the construction element orientation—the direction in which the gloves 992 and their sensors 993 and 994 work.

Different functions can in particular also be associated with the different sensors 993 and 994 of the gloves 992. As FIG. 4 shows, the function “Travel horizontally from right to left” can be associated with the palm sensor 992 of the right glove, for example, while the function “Travel vertically” can be associated with the palm sensor 992 of the left glove. To be able to control a travel perpendicular to the contact plane—corresponding to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 4—the finger sensor 994 of the left glove can, for example, signal an approach to the operator and the finger sensor 994 of the right glove 992 can signal a traveling away. Other assignments of the sensors are naturally possible.

As FIG. 2 indicates, other recognition functions can also be implemented by means of suitable scanning units or detection apparatus, for example a person recognition, in particular as to whether persons are located in the intended load travel path of an automated lift. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A construction machine having a construction machine control apparatus for controlling pieces of working equipment of the construction machine comprising: a data communication device connected to a master construction site computer and configured to receive and process digital information from a structure data model to which the master construction site computer has access; a control configuration module configured to influence at least one control function of the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on the received digital information from the structure data model; a detection apparatus configured to automatically detect and/or identify: the presence of a construction element of a structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine when the construction element is located in a pick-up region and/or working range of the construction machine; and an actual state of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine; wherein the detection apparatus comprises one or more of a camera, an imaging sensor and an RFID reader; a construction phase determination module configured to automatically determine an actual construction phase by comparing the actual state of the structure with digital information from the structure data model; a determinator configured to automatically determine, in dependence on digital information from the structure data model and the determined actual construction phase: a next construction element of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine; and an installed position of the next construction element; wherein the control configuration module is further configured to display, at the construction machine or at a control station for the remote control of the construction machine, a representation of: the actual state of the structure; the next construction element; and the installed position of the next construction element.
 2. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a travel module for the automated traveling of the detected and/or identified construction element with reference to position coordinates of the detected and/or identified construction element provided by the master construction site computer.
 3. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data communication device is further configured to provide digital information relating to the working of the detected and/or identified construction element in dependence on the detected and/or identified construction element from the structure data model to the construction machine control apparatus; and wherein the control configuration module is further configured to automatically carry out a working step relating to the detected and/or identified construction element on the basis of digital information provided by the structure data model.
 4. The construction machine in accordance with claim 3, wherein digital information from the structure data model comprise position data that indicate a destination of the detected and/or identified construction element and/or travel path data that indicate a travel path of the detected and/or identified construction element; and wherein the control configuration module is further configured to raise and/or to travel the construction machine automatically in dependence on the position data and/or travel path data.
 5. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a load suspension means for picking up the detected and/or identified construction element and having a coupling part that is automatic and/or actuable by external energy and that is automatically releasable and/or closable by the construction machine control apparatus.
 6. The construction machine in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a rotational apparatus for rotating the load suspension means of the construction machine about an upright axis of rotation; wherein the construction machine control apparatus is configured to actuate the rotational apparatus with reference to digital information from the master construction site computer.
 7. The construction machine in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a travel control module that can be positioned at the load suspension means of the construction machine and/or at a construction element suspended thereon and to be traveled and has at least one operating element whose actuation axis coincides with a travel axis of the construction machine.
 8. The construction machine in accordance with claim 7, wherein the travel control module is integrated in a wearable configured to be worn by a machine operator of the construction machine.
 9. The construction machine in accordance with claim 8 further comprising at least one operating element of the travel control module integrated in a glove configured to be worn by the machine operator when gripping the load suspension means of the construction machine and/or the construction element suspended thereon and to be traveled.
 10. The construction machine in accordance with claim 8, wherein the travel control module is configured for wireless communication with the construction machine control apparatus.
 11. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the construction machine control apparatus is configured to automatically travel a suspended load from a load pick-up point to an installation point or place-down point using position data from the master construction site computer; and wherein the position data comprise location coordinates in a three-dimensional coordinate system and an angle coordinate that indicates the orientation of the suspended load about an upright axis of rotation.
 12. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control configuration module is configured to display a virtual representation of the actual state of the structure, the next construction element and the installed position of the next construction element.
 13. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the control configuration module is further configured to change a working range boundary function taken into account by the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on digital information from the structure data model.
 14. The construction machine in accordance with claim 13, wherein the control configuration module is further configured to automatically update and/or to automatically adapt cyclically or continuously the working range boundary function in dependence on construction progresses at the structure to be erected and/or to be worked while taking account of digital information from the structure data model.
 15. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a collision determination module for comparing machine data of the construction machine that characterize an installation location and/or the working range of the construction machine with structure data from the structure data model that characterize contours and/or topographic structure surrounding contours of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine; wherein the control configuration module is further configured to adapt a working range boundary function taken into account by the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on digital information from the structure data model on the basis of the comparison by the collision determination module.
 16. The construction machine in accordance with claim 1, wherein the data communication device is configured to provide specific digital information from the structure data model to the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on the determined actual construction phase.
 17. The construction machine in accordance with claim 16, wherein the control configuration module is configured to display a virtual representation of the actual state of the structure, the next construction element and the installed position of the next construction element in dependence on the specific digital information.
 18. A master construction site computer comprising: a data communication device for providing digital information from a structure data model to the construction machine in accordance with claim 1; and a control configuration module for influencing at least one control function of a construction machine control device of the construction machine in dependence on the provided digital information from the structure data model.
 19. A method of controlling a construction machine using a structure data model that includes digital information on a structure to be erected and/or to be worked comprising: providing digital information from the structure data model to a construction machine; influencing at least one control function of a construction machine control device in dependence on the provided digital information from the structure data model; automatically detecting and/or identifying the presence of a construction element of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine when the construction element is located in a pick-up region and/or working range of the construction machine; automatically detecting and/or identifying an actual state of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine; automatically determining an actual construction phase by comparing the actual state of the structure with digital information from the structure data model; automatically determining, in dependence on digital information from the structure data model and the determined actual construction phase, a next construction element of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine, and an installed position of the next construction element; and displaying, at the construction machine or at a control station for the remote control of the construction machine, a representation of the actual state of the structure, the next construction element, and the installed position of the next construction element; wherein the detecting and/or identifying steps comprise detecting and/or identifying with a detection apparatus comprising one or more of a camera, an imaging sensor and an RFID reader.
 20. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the detected and/or identified construction element located in the pick-up region and/or working range of the construction machine is automatically detected and/or identified by means of a detection apparatus; wherein digital information relating to the erecting and/or working of the detected and/or identified construction element is provided from the structure data model in dependence on the detected and/or identified construction element; and wherein a working step relating to the detected and/or identified construction element is automatically carried out by the construction machine control apparatus on the basis of the digital information provided by the structure data model.
 21. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the digital information from the structure data model provide position data that indicate a destination of the detected and/or identified construction element and/or travel path data that indicate a travel path of the detected and/or identified construction element; and wherein the detected and/or identified construction element is automatically lifted and/or traveled by the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on the position data and/or travel path data.
 22. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein the displaying comprises displaying a virtual representation of the actual state of the structure, the next construction element and the installed position of the next construction element in dependence on specific digital information from the structure data model to the construction machine in dependence on the determined actual construction phase.
 23. The method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising: automatically selecting a construction machine from among different construction machinery, the selected construction machine suitable for the structure to be erected and/or to be worked with reference to the structure data model, wherein the following steps are carried out for the automatic selection: providing a machine data model that includes digital information on different construction machine models; automatically identifying relevant information from the structure data model with reference to criteria that are specified by the machine data model and relate to machine data of the different construction machinery, and in which the different construction machine models differ; automatically comparing the identified relevant information from the structure data model with the machine data of the different construction machinery from the machine data model; and automatically selecting the suitable construction machine with reference to the comparison.
 24. The method in accordance with claim 23, wherein at least one piece of relevant information read from the structure data model is selected from the group consisting of height of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked, weight of a heaviest construction element to be moved, an area of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked in elevation, a cross-sectional extent of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked in elevation, and maximum distance between a construction element delivery station and a construction element destination; and wherein at least one piece of machine data from the machine data model is selected from the group consisting of a machine lifting height, a maximum hoist weight, and a machine range.
 25. The method in accordance with claim 19, wherein determining the installed position of the next construction element comprises: automatically identifying relevant information from the structure data model and relevant information from machine data of the construction machine, wherein the relevant information from the structure data model at least comprises dimensions of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked and the relevant information from the machine data at least comprises the working range of the construction machine; and automatically comparing the working range of the construction machine with contours of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked in order to determine if the construction machine has a working range sufficient to erect and/or work the structure and/or in order to perform a collision check.
 26. The method in accordance with claim 25, wherein the working range of the construction machine is automatically restricted in dependence on theme collision check; and wherein the structure data model is updated if the working range of the construction machine is automatically restricted.
 27. The method in accordance with claim 26, wherein a working range boundary function taken into account by the construction machine control apparatus is changed by a working range boundary setting module in dependence on digital information from the structure data model.
 28. The method in accordance with claim 27, wherein the working range boundary function is automatically updated and adapted in dependence on the actual construction phase while taking account of digital information from the structure data model.
 29. The method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising: comparing machine data of the construction machine that characterize an installation location and/or the working range of the construction machine with structure data from the structure data model that characterize contours and/or topographic surrounding contours of the structure to be erected and/or to be worked by the construction machine; and adapting a working range boundary function taken into account by the construction machine control apparatus in dependence on digital information from the structure data model by a working range boundary setting module on the basis of the comparison. 